Lawrence County, Pennsylvania


Lawrence County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,070. The county seat and largest city is New Castle.
The county was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the commonwealth.
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History

Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.
The county was named after the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the USS Lawrence, which was disabled in the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The ship's complement included local raw recruits. That niagara-class brig was itself a namesake, of Perry's friend and naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812.

Lawrence County Flag

In August 1981, county commissioner Paul L. Tanner proposed the creation of a flag for Lawrence County as well as a flag for each of the county's 27 municipalities These were to be displayed at the courthouse. Over the next few months, flags for Perry Township, New Beaver Borough, and Wampum Borough were presented to the commissioners
On January 12, 1982, commissioner chairman, Frank A. Vitril, announced a county flag design contest and asked residents of Lawrence County to submit entries on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper with their name, address, and telephone number on an attached sheet of paper. The winner would receive $100 prize contributed in equal parts from the county commissioners and would not come from taxpayers. They also announced the formation of a committee, coordinated by the Lawrence County Planning Commission, to select the winner. The commissioners said in a statement, "As public officials, we are aware of the need to generate public spirit and interest in the affairs of local government. The promotion of a county flag will enable interested citizens of Lawrence County participation in an historic event."
The winning flag was announced on June 4, 1982, and a ceremony was held at the courthouse on June 15, 1982, in observance of Flag Day, as the courthouse was closed on June 14. Rosemary Ann Marino, a commercial artist from New Castle, submitted several designs and her winning entry was one of 43 designs submitted by 15 individuals. The design depicts the shape of Lawrence County in green and edged with gold off-center on a white background with the words "Lawrence County, Pennsylvania" emblazoned on the bottom. The center logo features a shaft of wheat, symbolizing prosperity, against a background of rolling farmlands on the left and waves of water on the right. Marino received a check for $100 at a ceremony at the courthouse as well as a telegraph from Governor Dick Thornburgh who congratulated Lawrence County on its new flag.
A painting of the design was revealed at the ceremony and was painted on masonite by Harry Broschart, who was on the flag selection committee. He and other committee members, Dominic Caminite and former director of arts and crafts at West Side Community Center, Virginia Rankin, gave the award presentations. Honorable mentions included a covered bridge design by Grayce D. Sharek, a blue and gold circular design stating "Lawrence County, Government for the People, founded 1849" by Betty Stone, an outline of the courthouse against a red keystone on a blue background by Steve T. Grala, and a two-tone green flag with an outline of the county by James E. Hamilton. Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, theme, clarity, and design.
President Judge Glenn McCracken offered remarks urging those present to take pride in their home, Lawrence County, and the flag which symbolizes it, and saying Lawrence County needs the kind of American pride in their heredity that was reawakened by the television show Roots.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River. Lawrence County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.

Climate

Lawrence County has a hot-summer humid continental climate. Average monthly temperatures in New Castle range from 27.7 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 86,070. The median age was 45.5 years. 19.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.1 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.
57.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 42.4% lived in rural areas.
There were 35,939 households in the county, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.3% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 39,492 housing units, of which 9.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.6% were owner-occupied and 26.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010
White alone 89,57384,87275,81194.64%93.15%88.08%
Black or African American alone 3,3933,4483,5463.58%3.78%4.11%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 8154750.08%0.05%0.08%
Asian alone 2543653210.26%0.40%0.37%
Pacific Islander alone 4940.00%0.00%0.00%
Other race alone 67692510.07%0.07%0.29%
Mixed race or Multiracial 7421,3604,4070.78%1.49%5.12%
Hispanic or Latino 5299311,6550.55%1.02%1.92%
Total94,64391,10886,070100.00%100.00%100.00%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% English or Welsh, 14.6% were of Italian, 12.4% American, 9.0% German, 8.1% Irish, and 6.8% Scotch-Irish, 2.5% Polish, and 1.9% African ancestry.
There were 37,091 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2010 U.S. census the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton combined statistical area , which combines the population of Lawrence, and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The combined statistical area ranked the fourth most populous in Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the U.S. with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics

Voter registration

As of June 30, 2025, there are 57,172 registered voters in Lawrence County. Republicans hold a majority of voters. There were 29,982 registered Republicans, 19,890 registered Democrats, 5,348 registered non-affiliated voters, and 1,952 voters registered to other parties.

County commissioners

Lawrence County is administered by a three-member publicly elected commission. Each commissioner serves in four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections. All three Commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. The Commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.
CommissionerPartyTitle
Dan VoglerRepublicanChairman
Chris SainatoDemocratic
Dan KennedyRepublican

County row offices

OfficeOfficialParty
ControllerDave PrestopineRepublican
CoronerRichard JohnsonDemocratic
District AttorneyJoshua LamancusaDemocratic
Prothonotary and Clerk of CourtsJodi Klabon-EsoldoDemocratic
Register of Wills and Recorder of DeedsTammy CrawfordRepublican
SheriffPerry QuahlieroDemocratic
TreasurerRichard L. RaponeDemocratic

State House of Representatives

DistrictRepresentativeParty
8Aaron BernstineRepublican
9Marla BrownRepublican

Education

Colleges and universities

Community, junior, and technical colleges

  • Lawrence Crossing Campus

Public school districts

Tech schools

Private schools

  • Apple Grove School - New Wilmington
  • Cherry Hill School - New Wilmington
  • Cotton School - New Wilmington
  • Ellwood City Children's Center, Inc.
  • Faith Country Chapel Preschool and Kindergarten - New Castle
  • Fayette School - Volant
  • Hillside Parochial School - New Wilmington
  • Indian Run School - New Wilmington
  • J R Wilson School - New Wilmington
  • Ligo School - New Wilmington
  • Little Beaver Parochial School - Enon Valley
  • Lusk School - Volant
  • Meadow Lark School - New Wilmington
  • New Castle Christian Academy - New Castle
  • Parents Preschool Ellwood City
  • Shepherd School - Volant
  • St Vitus Catholic School - New Castle
  • Thorn Hill School - Volant
  • Westminster Preschool - New Wilmington
Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA

Libraries

  • Ellwood City Area Public Library
  • F D Campbell Memorial Library - Bessemer
  • Lawrence County Federated Library System - New Castle
  • New Castle Public Library

Transportation

Airports

Public transit

Recreation

Parks

State game lands

Trails

*

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: [List of List of cities in Pennsylvania|cities in Pennsylvania|cities], [List of List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania|towns and List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania|boroughs in Pennsylvania|boroughs], [List of List of townships in Pennsylvania|townships in Pennsylvania|townships], and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lawrence County:

Cities

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Unincorporated communities

Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.
  • Altman
  • Belmar Park
  • Brent
  • Burnstown
  • Castlewood
  • Coaltown
  • Coaltown Hill
  • Cottage Grove
  • Coverts
  • Derringer Corners
  • Drake
  • Duckrun
  • Eastbrook
  • East New Castle
  • Edinburg
  • Elliott Mills
  • Energy
  • Fayette
  • Gibsondale
  • Grant City
  • Harbor
  • Harbor Bridge
  • Harlansburg
  • Hillsville
  • Jackson Knolls Gardens
  • Joyce
  • Lawrence Junction
  • Mahoningtown
  • McCaslin
  • McConnells Mill
  • Moravia
  • Mount Air
  • Mount Jackson
  • Nashua
  • Neshannock Falls
  • New Castle Junction
  • Newburg
  • Newpoint
  • North Edinburg
  • Old Enon
  • Park Gate
  • Parkstown
  • Peanut
  • Possum Hollow
  • Princeton
  • Pulaski
  • Robinson
  • Rockville
  • Rose Point
  • Sheep Hill
  • Skidmore
  • Sunnyside
  • Sunset Valley
  • Villa Maria
  • Walmo
  • Westview Heights
  • Wiegletown
  • Willow Grove
  • Wurtemberg

Former community

  • Big Beaver Borough became a borough on March 7, 1958. Until that date, it was known as Big Beaver Township, which was formed in 1802 when South Beaver Township was divided. In 1849, when Lawrence County was created, the new county line split Big Beaver leaving a township of that name in each county. Big Beaver in Lawrence County is now known as New Beaver Borough.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lawrence County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
1† 'New CastleCity23,273
2Ellwood City Borough7,921
3New WilmingtonBorough2,466
4OakwoodCDP2,270
5OaklandCDP1,569
6New BeaverBorough1,502
7New Castle NorthwestCDP1,413
8EllportBorough1,180
9BessemerBorough1,111
10New BedfordCDP925
11West PittsburgCDP808
12WampumBorough717
13South New CastleBorough709
14FrizzleburgCDP602
15ChewtonCDP488
16Enon ValleyBorough306
17VolantBorough168
18S.N.P.J.'Borough19

Notable people